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Question

ELISA can give a false negative result in the beginning of an infection due to

A
low DNA concentration in the sample
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B
high concentration of pathogen
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C
low concentration of pathogen
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D
low RNA concentration in the sample
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Solution

The correct option is C low concentration of pathogen
ELISA is a basic assay technique, which stands for Enzyme Linked Immuno-sorbent Assay.
It is rapid assay which requires a blood sample of the patient.

ELISA is used to detect and quantify substances, including antibodies, antigens, proteins, glycoproteins, and hormones. The detection of these substances is accomplished by complexing antibodies and antigens to produce a measurable result. Hence, ELISA is based on the principle of antigen-antibody interaction.

An antigen is a substance of foreign source that enters the body. Antigens can be parts of or substances produced by viruses or microorganisms such as bacteria and protozoans, as well as substances in the snake venom. Antigen is capable of stimulating an immune response, it stimulates the lymphocytes to produce antibodies. An antibody is a type of protein produced by the immune system. Antibody has specific regions that bind to the antigens and this induces a cascade of events through the body’s immune system. This interaction is utilized in ELISA and identifies specific antibodies and antigens, with only small amounts of the sample.

At the early stages of infection, the concentration of the pathogens maybe low due to which it can give false results. The low concentration of pathogen fails to produce sufficient antibodies required to show a positive result for a particular disease or condition thereby making it seem like an individual is negative for the disease even if in reality he/she is positive for it.

ELISA does not determine the concentration of the genetic material - DNA and RNA as the reaction is carried between antigen and antibodies.

If the pathogen is present in high concentration in the sample, then the test results will usually be positive.

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